QDG Mali Christmas Family Hampers appeal

300 soldiers lead by 1st The Queen's Dragoon Guards (QDG) are on UN Operations in Mali for six months. They will be away families and loved ones over Christmas, some for the second or third time in a decade.

The Regimental Association, friends and families of QDG are raising money to buy and deliver Christmas Hampers to their families left behind in the UK as well as sending a small Christmas hamper to the soldiers in the field.

1st The Queen’s Dragoon Guards (QDG), also known as ‘The Welsh Cavalry’, will lead the third Long-Range Reconnaissance Task Group deploying to Mali as part of the UN peacekeeping operation MINUSMA (Multidimensional Integrated Stabilisation Mission in Mali).

The Task Group also includes A Company, 1st Battalion The Royal Irish Regiment and specialist support from Explosive Ordnance Disposal operators, mechanics from the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, Un-crewed Aerial Vehicle pilots and medical support from the Ground Manoeuvre Surgical Group.

The peacekeeping role will see them deploy out on patrols in Jackal vehicles to engage with the civilian population. The situational awareness and intelligence they gain will help the United Nations make informed decisions and protect the people of Mali.

The UN has been operating in Mali for 8 years and there are currently troops from over 50 countries working in-country. The UK has been there a year and our contribution of around 300 soldiers is a small part of what is a 13000 strong multi-national force.

The Commanding Officer of 1st The Queen’s Dragoon Guards, Lieutenant Colonel Hugo Lloyd, said: “The UN has been operating in Mali for 8 years and there are currently troops from over 50 countries working in-country. The UK has been there a year and our contribution of around 300 soldiers is a small part of what is a 13,000 strong multi-national force.”